d. ellis phelps's Blog, page 8
December 29, 2022
new publication: woodlands anthology
It’s a Wrap!After months (four to be exact) of work, sorting through and considering hundreds of submissions, sending out acceptances and declines (thank goodness for Submittable), asking for and recording permissions and adding contributors to my database, re-reading and arranging the book, creating a cover image (many thanks to Cynthia Yachtman for her art that graces the cover), sending out the proof copy, publishing the digital version here, answering hundreds of emails, re-reading and making edits and more, woodlands (Moon Shadow Sanctuary Press, 2022) is finally ready!
This beautiful anthology includes the work of forty-nine writers and artists (we’ve included full-color art this time) from across the United States, Canada, and South America, most of whom are accomplished, seasoned writers.
The title poem and the concept for the book were generous gifts from Spirt Thom. His poem, 14 Ways to Stay Awake is the finale for the book. Many thanks, Thom!
Here is a sample poem that won the Editor’s Choice Award, an award I give to exemplary work in each anthology I publish. This poem is by Jean Ryan. I love it!
Lichen Bonded to a boulder, living on air and random rain,a forty-year-old lichen claims a thumbprint of space.Centuries from now it will be the size of a dinner plate,will still be youngwhen the millennium turns—not that age appliesto a thing designed to override death. Maybe this doesn't sound like much of a life: stuck on stone, nothing to dobut make more crust.Or maybe it’s a thrill a minute,living up to all that potential.I would like to find out: to lie on a sun-warmed rockand give myself up,to become with steady assuranceall I was ever meant to be.As the title suggests, the book is full of nature poems, most of which feature trees or forests but many which speak to the mythology around trees and tree worship and some revisit real-life or fictional mysteries, ways the woods have seemed to swallow people whole.Visit the digtial version. If you like it and you'd like to own or gift a copy, you can. Here it is!Namaste!d
December 27, 2022
new poem up on The Bangalore Review
On August 31, 2012 a long filament of solar material that had been hovering in the sun’s atmosphere, the corona, erupted out into space at 4:36 p.m. EDT. The coronal mass ejection, or CME, traveled at over 900 miles per second. The CME did not travel directly toward Earth, but did connect with Earth’s magnetic environment, or magnetosphere, causing aurora to appear on the night of Monday, September 3.
Picuted here is a lighten blended version of the 304 and 171 angstrom wavelengths. Cropped
Credit: NASA/GSFC/SDO
NASA image use policy.
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center enables NASA’s mission through four scientific endeavors: Earth Science, Heliophysics, Solar System Exploration, and Astrophysics. Goddard plays a leading role in NASA’s accomplishments by contributing compelling scientific knowledge to advance the Agency’s mission.
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" data-medium-file="https://dellisphelpsdotcom.files.word..." data-large-file="https://dellisphelpsdotcom.files.word..." src="https://dellisphelpsdotcom.files.word..." alt="" class="wp-image-70680" srcset="https://dellisphelpsdotcom.files.word... 1024w, https://dellisphelpsdotcom.files.word... 150w, https://dellisphelpsdotcom.files.word... 300w, https://dellisphelpsdotcom.files.word... 768w, https://dellisphelpsdotcom.files.word... 1440w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" />Nasa Image see credit belowthis same sunMany thanks to the editors for choosing my poem, this same sun (which is titled differently on the site as The Same Sun).
This poem began a few years ago as I traveled Loop 1604 south toward China Grove to see a friend who has since left her body for other realms. I dedicate this poem to Debbie now. May she rest in peace or journey on in glee whichever the case may be for her dear Spirit.
The heart of this work and of this post is that humans are finite beings as flesh and that, we are equal, living on and sharing the same planet, and the same sun.
While we are here, wouldn’t it be lovely if we could share equally and be compassionate and kind?
Thanks for reading.
https://bangalorereview.com/2022/12/the-same-sun/
Aho!
d
image credit & info:
On August 31, 2012 a long filament of solar material that had been hovering in the sun’s atmosphere, the corona, erupted out into space at 4:36 p.m. EDT. The coronal mass ejection, or CME, traveled at over 900 miles per second. The CME did not travel directly toward Earth, but did connect with Earth’s magnetic environment, or magnetosphere, causing aurora to appear on the night of Monday, September 3. Picuted here is a lighten blended version of the 304 and 171 angstrom wavelengths. Cropped Credit: NASA/GSFC/SDO NASA image use policy. NASA Goddard Space Flight Center enables NASA’s mission through four scientific endeavors: Earth Science, Heliophysics, Solar System Exploration, and Astrophysics. Goddard plays a leading role in NASA’s accomplishments by contributing compelling scientific knowledge to advance the Agency’s mission.
August 11, 2022
heaven scent~ d.ellis phelps
Photo by Jonas Weckschmied on UnsplashIn celebration of the first drops of rain we’ve seen in South Texas for several weeks and in thanksgiving for Kelsay Books who published my last collection, words gone wild, and who will publish my fourth collection of poetry, of failure & faith (forthcoming, 2023). Thanks also to Voices de la Luna, a San Antonio literary magazine for first publishing this piece which is included in the book. Enjoy!
—after Carl Sandburg heaven scent i love the scentof a summer rain—feline marking its field svelte swipe through tall grassresplendent bloomliquid bodycoming to coolthis feverish landhow we need thisquenching now —profuse perfume fresh from heaven—a guest surprising dropping in ~she is the one you have adoredsince your beginninghow she nurtured youcultivated every roother gentle touch enoughto coax even the most stubborn seed from its pod& in her puddling remains diamonds glisten children danceJune 29, 2022
The Short List: publication anyone?
June 9, 2022
Norton Island, Maine, 2021 by Eddie Vega
image credits: Tacos by Chad Montano, Lobster by Jeremy Bezanger, Mariachi by Mark Williams, Ocean by Aleks Dahlberg, Trail by Ethan Unzicker all on Unsplash
Norton Island, Maine, 2021 I came to the woods and found trees like a south Texas boy had never seen, trails leading to nowhere necessarybugs creepy and crunchy and too pretty to be harmlesswaterscapes, landscapes, and every other escape I’ve ever dreamedI came to the woods and realized I’m an urban poet - these trees ain’t doing shit for my writingthese trails scare me the bugs are unnecessaryI sat on a rock for an hour and found some peace, but it didn't move meexcept to leave the spot as the tide started to come inmaking me fear that I’d be washed out to sea the lobsters from last night might’ve been tasty but I don’t want them to return the favor I’m an urban poet and let me tell you what I don’t see here:Two weeks ago I saw a woman and a 10-year-old boy at Circle K at 4amtrying on hats after putting an assortment of snacks on the counterI read at a dive where my whiskey was served in a dollar-store plastic cup, the bartender couldn’t wear a mask because he was sharing a joint with a customerI heard a dude tell his homie, “Pos, chingué la disco ball!” There was a girl at Woodlawn Lake who I heard say,“my mom’s been dating my boyfriend’s tio for a while now…”A punkster all in black, tattoo sleeves for arms, chain hanging from his jeans, was walking past Plato’s Closet toward Ross or Burlington or whatever, pleading on the phone “Michelle! Michelle! MICHELLE! I know, and part of me agrees with everything you’re saying, but wait, Michelle, you mean more to me in this actual moment than anything else!”I was at Pizza Classics at 11:27pm on a Wednesday, ordering wingswatching as a cop talked to the guy he just pulled over into the parking lotas a mariachi walked in beforethe ambulance showed up because someone cut themselves in the kitchenthe cutting victim was the only one outside, no co-workers to check on himI heard a lady getting into the Ford Escort outside of the phone storeyelling at someone in the car,“You better come touch this shit before you give it ojo, mama. I’ll fuck you up and you’ll have to buy me a new one.”Somewhere in this city is a single dad realizing he’s the single rider on the bus home realizing the bus driver is the last person he’s going to see until tomorrowrealizing he’s on his way to eat dinner for one at a table for fourSo give mebuildings and bus stopshomies and hoop-deesmariachis and mocososall the ordinary people, each messed up in their own beautiful waysMaybe later I can write about the two-hour hike I took around this islandwhere my overweight and clumsy ass almost died eight timesbut, there’s a real privilege in this landscapethat requires waterproof hiking boots and wool socksI’d rather write about the rascuache that lives in my heart or the tlacuache that lives in my hoodthan this forested, granite rock landscape that, in all honestyjust wants to kill me~Eddie VegaEddie Vega is a poet, spoken word artist, storyteller, and educator. His poetry has been displayed on VIA Buses and downtown San Antonio, Texas buildings. His first full-length collection of poetry, Chicharra Chorus , was published in 2019 by FlowerSong Press and he is the 2021 recipient of the Literary Arts Grant from the Luminaria Artist Foundation. Vega writes about food, Tejano culture, social justice, and the intersections thereof. Known as the Taco-Poet of Texas, he can be found at an open-mic, slam, or taqueria on any given, non-quarantined evening anywhere throughout South Texas.June 1, 2022
INSTANT CONTINUING POETRY RELAY FESTIVAL Here!
Spirit Thom gives us a push: let’s combine our creative energies and see what happens! Read the thread of poems begun here (his and mine) and post your own response, in the comments below, taking your prompt from the previous poems. Send this link out to your list. Let’s see how far and wide we can send our words. They matter! & they might just make a postive impact for change for the Highest Good.
Photo by Bekky Bekks on UnsplashBEGINS WHEN YOU RESPOND TO THIS INVITATION(as of Wednesday June 1,2022 CST)Extends when you take responsibility for your poetic communicationsGrows when you link BY ANY MEDIA POSSIBLEinto the growing world of poetic peaceful modes and stylesBasically,this initiates a POETIC RELAY-you respond then pass this invite onto any person who might take it further via creating then communicatingways and means in metaphor of their choosing-connectingto any willing creatrix of any age, shape, sex (or none)just to see what can be done-when creation is harvestedin metaphorical and metaphysical modes. Choice is yours-to link further and keep this relay goingso our creative energies are combinedcontinuing in ways and means and styles as yet unimagined.Well, Zen-let us begin...with your modes of peaceshared with everyone...~Spirit Thom, Austin, Texas
modes of peace
taking the batoni carry it onrunning the racethe human racethe relay of timetime beyond timethe essence ofbegin again againlet us begina new beginninglet us reach and rallyand run and runbeseech and chantkneel and praylegislatewhatever it takesto change the waywe have been livinglay down your arms oh! lion—these are but lambs~d. ellis phelps, Bulverde, Texas
May 24, 2022
soon i must go to bed by d. ellis phelps
Thanks to Kelsay Books for publishing, words gone wild (2021), a collection of metered and rhymed verse for children and for the young at heart in which this poem is included!
Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash
soon i must go to bed
but not before the sunsinks beneath the purple skirted earthnot until he yawns below the long blue line dividing day —from nightnot until his hundred hands hold their golden fingershigh above his fiery headnot until then must i go to bed~soon i must go to bedbut not before the mud henroosts by the dark green pond not until she hang-glides through the thin pink skin of twilightnot until her soft brown winghides her curled duck headnot until then must i go to bed~soon i must go to bed but not before the lullabyfloats from the open throat of the croaking toadnot before his staccato song calls the mossy shadows from the hollow lognot before he blinks—round amber eyes on his amphibious headnot until then must i go to bed~soon i must go to bedbut not before the vanilla moonweaves her warp and waftnot before her gossamer thread has veiled the dark trees and lit the pasture grassnot before the pixie’s bathin her shimmering white poolsnot until then must i go to bed~soon i must go to bedbut not before the evening breezeteases the four-o-clock bloommakes her bring her magenta face out from her secret hiding placenot before the longest shadow becomes a giant stridingacross her glistening breastnot until she holds her constant nighttime breathnot until then must i go to bed~d. ellis phelps
May 20, 2022
Call for Submissions: woodlands & elementals & poetry by Spirit Thom!
14 Ways to Stay Awake
KEEP YOUR EYES & EARS OPEN @ALL TIMESBe alert,alive,aware in every moment. Attuned to all,each,every person you meet.Even in dream state,remember your dreams. Seek answers in them.We are all @various levels of awareness. Listen Deepen and dredge!Seek core truths-paradigms unlocking paradoxes. Look for diamond eyes that shine-Smiles that share awareness. Parables beyond desk calendar cliches. Read all Masters,Mistresses,FoolsSeek the oral and the aural. Resonate with landscapes & elementals.Sleep when you are dreaming and dream while you are awake.Someone, somewhere has already shared these modes and strategies.There are always more. But you only asked for 14.~Spirit ThomWhen I read this poem by Thom Woodruff, AKA Spirit Thom, Beat Poet Laureate and Austin Poet Extrodinaire, I resonated with so many lines. But the line that caught my attendtion most was "Resonate with landscapes & elementals."So! I asked Thom if I could use his poem and this line as a seed for the Fall 2022 issue of fws: international journal of literature & art and he said, "YES!" I am indeed delighted. Thank you, Thom!Resonating with the landscape (earth) and elementals (natural forces) is a powerful way to gain consciousness and remain conscious. It is so very central to the survival of our planet, our species and many, many other endangered species, in fact, all living things.
Photo by David Marcu on UnsplashWhat do I mean by resonating? I mean connect. I mean sense into the vibrations of. I mean go outside: dig your feet into mud or sink them in sand or stand in the ocean’s surf. Breathe it into your very being. Listen. Lie down on the ground. Feel gravity holding you there. Observe the natural phenomenon: moon cycles, storms, migrations. Remember your primal being. Realize you are one with all living beings. Realize that earth is a living being.
As poets and writers, our words and our stories are our way of resonating. Calling out. Echoing beauty, harmony, and mystery. Our words are our way of co-creating and sending healing energies into the world. They are our medicine!
Let’s co-create something beautiful in the forthcoming issue of fws. Send me your words. They matter. They are matter!
Read submission guides and find deadlines here (hint: June 1- Aug. 31, 2022):
[image error]April 6, 2022
Salon by Linda Simone
Image credits from unsplash: (L) then (R) top to bottom: Maxim Potkin 
George Bohunicky Ayo Ogunseinde Frederick Medina Ravi Patel
Women love-hate it. Mess with it. Cut it. Shape it. Color it. Cover it. Spend way, way too much time and money on it. Complain about it. Laugh about it. Worry about losing it and want to pull it out sometimes.
Some women will even confess that their very well-being depends on how their hair looks and that a trip to the salon can make a world of difference.
I have tried, really thinking I wanted to be simply me, just my natural self, to grow the ever-present hair color from my naturally almost completely white hair. But no. I get about halfway there and boom: I’m back at the salon with red or blonde or brunette hair, depending on my mood. Maybe it’s the artist in me. Maybe it is vanity as Ms. Simone says.
I’d like to say here that a woman’s worth is not determined by looks, but I will admit that I do love it when the white is gone, the cut is good, and some bounce is back!
Whether one chooses to wear an elaborate coiffure, shave her head or go au naturale, one thing is certain: women have a complicated relationship with hair!
Please welcome Linda Simone to the pages of fws. In her poem, Salon, read her take on saving face, free therapy, and staying sane: it’s all about the hair!
Salon This is where dreams blow real,where you can feel yourself lose years, save face in the space of that swivel chair.Where people who care, wrap you in terry, wait on you hand, foot and hair. Watch yourself in the glass, all shaggy and gray, blossom beneath magic hands today.Your stylist works scissors like a scalpel adding layers of meaning to a mane too full,dabs on color like Picasso,throws the therapy in for free. Take a few hours of your time to be vain.For a price, become the seductress: lovely, confident, sane.Linda Simone’s work includes the poetry collection, The River Will Save Us (Kelsay Books, 2018), and two chapbooks, Archeology (2014) and Cow Tippers (2006). Her work was recently included in Poets to Come (Local Gems Press), an anthology commemorating Walt Whitman’s Bicentennial. Since moving to San Antonio from New York in 2015, her poems have been selected for the city’s 2018 Tricentennial and for the San Antonio Poet Laureate’s signature project. Visit more of Linda’s work here: www.lindasimone.com
March 16, 2022
what she holds reviewed in Ocotillo Review, Summer 2021
Photo by Rod Long on UnsplashI am delighted to learn that my collection what she holds (Moon Shadow Sanctuary Press, 2020) has a kind review by Carol Mertz published in Ocotillo Review Vol. 5 No. 2 (Kalisto Gaia Press, 2021)!
Deep gratitude to Ms. Mertz for her careful consideration of the work and to Tony Burnett, Editor, for choosing to publish the review! Read more of Ms. Mertz’s work here. Or get her book, Color and Line (Kelsay Books, 2021) here!
Here it is in part as Ms. Mertz published it on the book’s Amazon page:
This volume of The Ocotillo Review, in publication twice annually since 2018, promises “poetry, fiction, and truth” on the subjects of “love, lust, and longing.” It is a worthy read by a list of talented writers.
You want this! Go ahead. Get it. Read it. Pass it on. It’s literary love!
Namaste,
d
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